Recently a Florida woman was attacked and mauled by a 200-pound black bear she discovered rummaging through her garbage can. Her wounds required some 37 staples.
Authorities immediately vowed to track down this bear and said it would be “put down.” Shortly afterward, they were successful in euthanizing four black bears and were to run DNA tests to make sure they had the “right” one. How much attention would have been given to this case had it been a human attacker?
The woman told reporters she didn’t blame the bear, saying that it was “trying to protect her cubs” and that the bears “had nowhere to go.” Wildlife is continually forced out of its natural habitats by incessant construction of highways and new homes and apartment complexes. These animals could be counted as “collateral damage” in this continued progress.
These zealous authorities involved in the bear track-down are one and the same who will work tirelessly to rescue a dog from a storm drain or a cat stranded in the top of a tall tree, watched closely by the ever-present media. How many would give it a second thought if the next day one of the animals lay dead in the street after being struck by a car?
— W.L. Poole
Salisbury

Do you vote? Do you vote for the party or the person? How do you feel about our local, state and federal government operations? Is government working for you and your family? Do you support our Constitution? Are you disturbed or moved or just don’t care about government spending, programs, laws, veterans … the people?
It seems elected officials have a “school yard” mentality. Elected officials from the feds all the down to the locals are missing excellent opportunities to work together with their combined resources and talents for the benefit of the region and our nation. Too often, we see political egos and personal agendas getting in the way, ruining the most well laid out plans. All elected officials need to wake up to the fact that voters are watching, and we will not forget the injustices.
I urge you to vote, to do your homework before you vote, and to think long and hard about the choices you make.
— Jamie M. Kimmer
Salisbury

With all the recent controversy over the election of county commissioners for the upcoming primary vote, it is very important to highlight a few points.
First, listen to who is crying the loudest against the conservatives. The “Salisbury first” liberals and the red-capped radicals would vote for the candidates who would raise your taxes on every issue in a mini heartbeat. Secondly, remember that we have a set of commissioners who have held our taxes without increase for years. If we do not get either Jim Sides and/or Joe Coladarci as sitting commissioners, you can rest assured that your taxes will go up!
There are several conservatives running on the Republican ticket, but the true conservatives are Jim Sides and Joe Coladarci. Jim Sides is by far the finest county commissioner we have ever had. His knowledge of how the county operates is unmatched. Vote for Jim Sides and Joe Coladarci for Rowan County Commissioners.
— Steve Poteat
Salisbury